via The Gioi, 02 January 2024: Saint Nguyen Temple in Ninh Binh province, Vietnam, is an ancient site dedicated to Zen Master Nguyen Minh Khong, a prominent figure of the Ly dynasty. Designated a national architectural and artistic relic in 1989, the temple is a symbol of historical and cultural roots. The temple architecture, typical of the Later Le Dynasty, includes unique features like the gazebo, Tien Bai building, and the main sanctum adorned with imperial edicts from the Le and Nguyen dynasties.
Zen Master Nguyen Minh Khong’s full name is Nguyen Chi Thanh (1073-1141), a native of Diem Xa village, part of the ancient Trang An district.
According to legend, Master Nguyen Minh Khong was the head monk of the Ly dynasty in Vietnamese history, as well as the first person to apply treatment methods with Vietnamese herbs and acupuncture.
In 1136, twenty-year-old King Ly Than Tong was cured of a serious illness by Zen Master Minh Khong. According to Mr. Pham Van Luu, who worked in the celebration committee of Saint Nguyen Temple, around 1121, Master Minh Khong returned to Dam Xa (his hometown) to build a small temple to worship Buddha, named Vien Quang Monastery to practice religion and save people.
Master Minh Khong was instrumental in spreading Buddhism, traveled throughout Dai Viet, built more than 500 pagodas, some of which are famous pagodas that still exist today, including ancient Bai Dinh Pagoda, Dich Long Pagoda, Non Nuoc Pagoda (Ninh Binh), Keo Pagoda (Thai Binh), Co Le Pagoda (Nam Dinh), and Kim Lien Pagoda (Hanoi).
Source: Tracing Vietnamese historical and cultural roots in Saint Nguyen Temple
